Vehicle messaging system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle messaging system is provided. The vehicle messaging system includes a message panel configured to join the vehicle. The message panel includes a secondary power source in addition to the primary power source provided by the vehicle. The message panel includes a thermostat, a heating portion, and a cooling portion that together maintain the message panel at a pre-determined temperature. The message panel also includes alert systems, protection panels, and an image capturing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/343,751 entitled“VEHICLE MESSAGING SYSTEM” filed May 31, 2016 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).The contents of this related provisional application are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subjectmatter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.]

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a vehiclemessaging system. More particularly, certain embodiments of theinvention relate to a vehicle messaging system which employs a digitallicense plate that includes temperature control and backup powerfeatures.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. Thefollowing is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatdigital license plates in literature and those available in markettypically provide various features including security from theft,communication of possible theft to government agencies, etc. however, itis believed that the digital license plates are typically powered by thevehicle and may not function when the vehicle is in a “stop” mode.Further one can expect the digital license plates to fail or malfunctionin extreme weather conditions due to over heating or over cooling.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle messaging system, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture of an exemplary vehicle messagingsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary message panel with a message, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary a message panel in communication with anexemplary circuitry portion, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate front views of an exemplary first enclosureportion for retaining a message panel, where FIG. 5A illustrates a firstfront panel, and FIG. 5B illustrates a first rear panel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate front views of two different enclosuredesigns for retaining a message panel, where FIG. 6A illustrates asecond front panel, and FIG. 6B illustrates a second rear panel, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A through 7F illustrate examples of various uses of the exemplarymessage panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary client/server systemwhich may be used by an exemplary web-enabled/networked embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram depicting a conventionalclient/server communication system.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settle law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognize in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”includes the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache.”Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from includingadditional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique. [0059] The term “comprising,” which issynonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by” isinclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps. “Comprising” is a term of art used in claimlanguage which means that the named claim elements are essential, butother claim elements may be added and still form a construct within thescope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thepresently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use ofeither of the other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwiseexplicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by“consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, andthus, for the purposes of claim support and construction for “consistingof” format claims, such replacements operate to create yet otheralternative embodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elementsrecited in the original “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of allother elements.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and“connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should beunderstood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicatethat two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contactwith each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are indirect physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also meanthat two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, butyet still cooperate or interact with each other.

A “computer” may refer to one or more apparatus and/or one or moresystems that are capable of accepting a structured input, processing thestructured input according to prescribed rules, and producing results ofthe processing as output. Examples of a computer may include: acomputer; a stationary and/or portable computer; a computer having asingle processor, multiple processors, or multi-core processors, whichmay operate in parallel and/or not in parallel; a general purposecomputer; a supercomputer; a mainframe; a super mini-computer; amini-computer; a workstation; a micro-computer; a server; a client; aninteractive television; a web appliance; a telecommunications devicewith internet access; a hybrid combination of a computer and aninteractive television; a portable computer; a tablet personal computer(PC); a personal digital assistant (PDA); a portable telephone;application-specific hardware to emulate a computer and/or software,such as, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), an application specific instruction-set processor(ASIP), a chip, chips, a system on a chip, or a chip set; a dataacquisition device; an optical computer; a quantum computer; abiological computer; and generally, an apparatus that may accept data,process data according to one or more stored software programs, generateresults, and typically include input, output, storage, arithmetic,logic, and control units.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that where appropriate, someembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in network computingenvironments with many types of computer system configurations,including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Whereappropriate, embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by local and remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, orby a combination thereof) through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

“Software” may refer to prescribed rules to operate a computer. Examplesof software may include: code segments in one or more computer-readablelanguages; graphical and or/textual instructions; applets; pre-compiledcode; interpreted code; compiled code; and computer programs.

The example embodiments described herein can be implemented in anoperating environment comprising computer-executable instructions (e.g.,software) installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination ofsoftware and hardware. The computer-executable instructions can bewritten in a computer programming language or can be embodied infirmware logic. If written in a programming language conforming to arecognized standard, such instructions can be executed on a variety ofhardware platforms and for interfaces to a variety of operating systems.Although not limited thereto, computer software program code forcarrying out operations for aspects of the present invention can bewritten in any combination of one or more suitable programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming languages and/orconventional procedural programming languages, and/or programminglanguages such as, for example, Hyper text Markup Language (HTML),Dynamic HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Extensible StylesheetLanguage (XSL), Document Style Semantics and Specification Language(DSSSL), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Synchronized MultimediaIntegration Language (SMIL), Wireless Markup Language (WML), Java™,Jini™, C, C++, Smalltalk, Perl, UNIX Shell, Visual Basic or Visual BasicScript, Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML), ColdFusion™ or othercompilers, assemblers, interpreters or other computer languages orplatforms.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

A network is a collection of links and nodes (e.g., multiple computersand/or other devices connected together) arranged so that informationmay be passed from one part of the network to another over multiplelinks and through various nodes. Examples of networks include theInternet, the public switched telephone network, the global Telexnetwork, computer networks (e.g., an intranet, an extranet, a local-areanetwork, or a wide-area network), wired networks, and wireless networks.

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers and computer networksarranged to allow the easy and robust exchange of information betweencomputer users. Hundreds of millions of people around the world haveaccess to computers connected to the Internet via Internet ServiceProviders (ISPs). Content providers (e.g., website owners or operators)place multimedia information (e.g., text, graphics, audio, video,animation, and other forms of data) at specific locations on theInternet referred to as webpages. Websites comprise a collection ofconnected, or otherwise related, webpages. The combination of all thewebsites and their corresponding webpages on the Internet is generallyknown as the World Wide Web (WWW) or simply the Web.

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, whichcomprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the likemay be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., a microprocessor) will receive instructions from a memory or likedevice, and execute those instructions, thereby performing a processdefined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement suchmethods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety ofknown media.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device/article (whether or not theycooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly,where more than one device or article is described herein (whether ornot they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a singledevice/article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly describedas having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of thepresent invention need not include the device itself.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) which may beread by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may takemany forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile mediainclude dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutesthe main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wireand fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupledto the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acousticwaves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, removable media, flash memory, a“memory stick”, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asBluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, (ii) other memory structures besidesdatabases may be readily employed. Any schematic illustrations andaccompanying descriptions of any sample databases presented herein areexemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. Anynumber of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested bythe tables shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. Further, despite any depiction of thedatabases as tables, an object-based model could be used to store andmanipulate the data types of the present invention and likewise, objectmethods or behaviors can be used to implement the processes of thepresent invention.

A “computer system” may refer to a system having one or more computers,where each computer may include a computer-readable medium embodyingsoftware to operate the computer or one or more of its components.Examples of a computer system may include: a distributed computer systemfor processing information via computer systems linked by a network; twoor more computer systems connected together via a network fortransmitting and/or receiving information between the computer systems;a computer system including two or more processors within a singlecomputer; and one or more apparatuses and/or one or more systems thatmay accept data, may process data in accordance with one or more storedsoftware programs, may generate results, and typically may includeinput, output, storage, arithmetic, logic, and control units.

A “network” may refer to a number of computers and associated devicesthat may be connected by communication facilities. A network may involvepermanent connections such as cables or temporary connections such asthose made through telephone or other communication links. A network mayfurther include hard-wired connections (e.g., coaxial cable, twistedpair, optical fiber, waveguides, etc.) and/or wireless connections(e.g., radio frequency waveforms, free-space optical waveforms, acousticwaveforms, etc.). Examples of a network may include: an internet, suchas the Internet; an intranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide areanetwork (WAN); and a combination of networks, such as an internet and anintranet.

As used herein, the “client-side” application should be broadlyconstrued to refer to an application, a page associated with thatapplication, or some other resource or function invoked by a client-siderequest to the application. A “browser” as used herein is not intendedto refer to any specific browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Safari,FireFox, or the like), but should be broadly construed to refer to anyclient-side rendering engine that can access and displayInternet-accessible resources. A “rich” client typically refers to anon-HTTP based client-side application, such as an SSH or CFIS client.Further, while typically the client-server interactions occur usingHTTP, this is not a limitation either. The client server interaction maybe formatted to conform to the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) andtravel over HTTP (over the public Internet), FTP, or any other reliabletransport mechanism (such as IBM® MQSeries® technologies and CORBA, fortransport over an enterprise intranet) may be used. Any application orfunctionality described herein may be implemented as native code, byproviding hooks into another application, by facilitating use of themechanism as a plug-in, by linking to the mechanism, and the like.

Exemplary networks may operate with any of a number of protocols, suchas Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and/orsynchronous optical network (SONET), user datagram protocol (UDP), IEEE802.x, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses forperforming the operations disclosed herein. An apparatus may bespecially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose device selectively activated or reconfigured by aprogram stored in the device.

Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented in one or acombination of hardware, firmware, and software. They may be implementedas instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be readand executed by a computing platform to perform the operations describedherein.

More specifically, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method orcomputer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present inventionmay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that mayall generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or“system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take theform of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

In the following description and claims, the terms “computer programmedium” and “computer readable medium” may be used to generally refer tomedia such as, but not limited to, removable storage drives, a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive, and the like. These computer programproducts may provide software to a computer system. Embodiments of theinvention may be directed to such computer program products.

An algorithm is here, and generally, considered to be a self-consistentsequence of acts or operations leading to a desired result. Theseinclude physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, thoughnot necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical ormagnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals asbits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like.It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, and as may be apparent from thefollowing description and claims, it should be appreciated thatthroughout the specification descriptions utilizing terms such as“processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like,refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system,or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transformdata represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within thecomputing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computing system'smemories, registers or other such information storage, transmission ordisplay devices.

Additionally, the phrase “configured to” or “operable for” can includegeneric structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated bysoftware and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processorexecuting software) to operate in a manner that is capable of performingthe task(s) at issue. “Configured to” may also include adapting amanufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) tofabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted toimplement or perform one or more tasks.

In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device orportion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/ormemory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data thatmay be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computing platform” maycomprise one or more processors.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structuresstored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media canbe any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer, including the functional design of any specialpurpose processor as discussed above. By way of example, and notlimitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be usedto carry or store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. When information is transferred or provided over a network oranother communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, orcombination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media.

While a non-transitory computer readable medium includes, but is notlimited to, a hard drive, compact disc, flash memory, volatile memory,random access memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, semiconductorbased memory, phase change memory, optical memory, periodicallyrefreshed memory, and the like; the non-transitory computer readablemedium, however, does not include a pure transitory signal per se; i.e.,where the medium itself is transitory.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

There are various types of digital license plates that may be providedby preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, a vehicle messaging system may be configured tostore and transmit at least one message from a display. The message maybe associated with a vehicle or a vehicle operator. The system mayinclude a message panel, such as a digital license plate, that joinswith a portion of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1, is illustrated an exemplary vehicle messagingsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thevehicle messaging system may include at least a message panel 110, atleast a control portion 112, at least a server 114, and at least adatabase 116.

The message panel 110 may comprise a display interface 120 that maydisplay at least one message related to a vehicle or a vehicle operatoras described herein below. A control portion 112 may be virtually anydevice or devices capable of receiving a message from and/or sending amessage to the message panel 110, as well as sending/receiving a messageto/from a server 114. Server 114 may be any computing platform thatexecutes computer software and/or code from a non-transitory computerreadable medium. Server 114 may also access a database 116 containingmessages and solutions or information required to be provided inrelation to the messages. In some embodiments, system 100 may comprisetwo or more message panels 110, two or more control portions 112, two ormore servers 114 with databases 116. In some embodiments, controlportion 112 may communicate one or more messages to two or more servers114. In a non-limiting example, control portion 112 may communicate oneor more messages to multiple servers 114 and may polls the servers 114to determine which server may respond with response messages orsolutions to the messages. In some embodiments, message panel 110 maycapture images from its vicinity and communicate the images to one ormore control portions 112, to one or more servers 114, or to one or moresevers 114 via one or more control portion 112. In some alternateembodiments, message panel 110 may capture a plurality of images fromits vicinity and communicate the images in a batch mode. In otheralternate embodiments, message panel 110 may capture a plurality ofimages from its vicinity and communicate the images in a serial mode. Asa non-limiting example, message panel 110, may communicate the images assoon as they are captured. As a non-limiting example a message panel 110may be a digital license plate, or a digital sign board. It may beappreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, in light of andin accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a messagepanel 110 may be virtually any electronic device capable of having adisplay interface 118. Message panel 110 may include, but may notlimited to, digital license plates, digital sign boards, etc.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the message panel 110 may connect to any number of devices withvirtually any wired and/or wireless means. Message panel 110 may connectto virtually any device by means such as, but not limited to, Bluetoothconnection, Ethernet cable, USB cable, WIFI, IRDA, etc. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, a message panel 110 maysend additional messages to a server 114 and/or control portion 112 viaa cellular connection.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,a server 114 may be virtually any computing platform such as, but notlimited to, a computer cluster, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, aweb/cloud platform, etc . . . .

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present inventionthat, a database 116 may be virtually any data storage device ordevices. Database 116 may be, but not limited to, a plurality of dataservers, a memory card. In another embodiment of the present invention,database 116 may be a memory card connected to server 114 or to thecontrol portion 112.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that database 116 may contain virtually any data to improve thefunctionality of the vehicle messaging system 100. Database 116 mayinclude, without limitation, driver information, driver licenseinformation, weather information, theft information, road workinformation, route information, route change information, medicalfacility information, consumer product information for mass mediaadvertisement and the like.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,vehicle messaging system 100 may partially or completely be contained ina local computing platform and/or network, i.e., the control portion112.

Referring to FIG. 2 is illustrated an architecture of an exemplaryvehicle messaging system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. A vehicle messaging system architecture 200 maycomprise a computing system 212 included in a message panel 110 and/or acontrol portion 112, i.e., computer. The computing system 212 mayinclude a visual module 216, a voice module 218, a sensor module 220, acommunication model 222, an information/message analysis module 224, adisplay module 228, an interface module 226, and a heuristic module 230.Visual module 216 may have a means of receiving a visual input,processing the visual input, and providing a visual input/output suchas, without limitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server 114to execute computer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitorycomputer readable medium for a message 210 received 214 from a messagepanel. Voice module 218 may have a means of receiving a voice input,processing the voice input, and providing a voice input/output such as,without limitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server 110 toexecute computer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitory computerreadable medium for a message 210 received 214 from a message panel. Asensor module 220 may have a means of receiving sensor information fromsensors included in the message panel, such as, without limitation, aprocessing unit, a computer, or a server 110 to execute computer codeand/or algorithms from a non-transitory computer readable medium for amessage 210 received 214 from a message panel. A communication module222 may have a means of receiving a communication, processing thecommunication, and sending a communication, such as, without limitation,a processing unit, a computer, or a server 114 to execute computer codeand/or algorithms from a non-transitory computer readable medium for amessage 210 received 214 from a message panel and a message 234 sent 232to the message panel/control portion. A database 221 may have a means ofstoring the data on the patient, test results of the patient provided bythe various sensors, such as, without limitation, a processing unit, acomputer, or a server 114 to execute computer code and/or algorithmsfrom a non-transitory computer readable. In one embodiment, the database221 may be as described herein above with reference to FIG. 1. Aninterface module 226 may have a means of interfacing with the variousmodules, for example, the sensor module 220, the communication module222, and the message analysis module 224, and the database 221, such as,without limitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server 114 toexecute computer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitory computerreadable medium, and may provide a combined response message to bedisplayed using the display module 228 on the message panel, and provideinterface support to assist the vehicle messaging system in performingits various functions. A display module 228 may have a means ofdisplaying an image, for example, image of the driver's license plate,driver license information, advertisements, visual representation ofweather conditions, and the like. A heuristic module 230 may have ameans of self-learning, such as, without limitation, a processing unit,a computer, or a server 114 to execute computer code and/or algorithmsfrom a non-transitory computer readable medium, to assist theassimilation of various messages sent by the message panel and mayprovide a combined response message to be displayed using the displaymodule 228 on the message panel.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that one or more modules may be embodied in a single device. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, all modules except themessage analysis module may be embodied in a message panel 110. Forexample, the message panel may be capable of capturing an image in itsvicinity, such as an image of the license plate of a vehicle in itsvicinity in the event of an accident, and send this message to a controlportion 112. The control portion 112 in communication with the server114 and or database 116 may then analyze the details using the messageanalysis module 224 and send an appropriate response message to thevehicle driver. The response message may either be displayed in thedisplay interface 118 or be displayed in the control portion 112. Adriver and/or agency may respond after viewing information displayed onthe digital license plate. It may be appreciated by a person withordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that virtually any algorithm and/orcomputer code may be used to recognize a visual on the voice module 218.Voice recognition algorithms and/or methods may include, withoutlimitation, Bayesian networks, fuzzy logic, neural networks, templatematching, Hidden Markov models, machine learning, data mining, featureextraction and data analysis/statistics, optical character recognition,etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a binarysearch tree may be implemented to extra data from a voice.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize a visual on the visual module 216. Visual recognitionalgorithms and/or methods may include, without limitation, Bayesiannetworks, fuzzy logic, neural networks, template matching, Hidden Markovmodels, machine learning, data mining, feature extraction and dataanalysis/statistics, optical character recognition, etc. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, a binary search treemay be implemented to extra data from a visual.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that there may be a plurality of the same modules in the vehiclemessaging system architecture 200. A plurality of modules such as,without limitation, a visual module 216, a voice module 218, a sensormodule 220, a communication model 222, an information/message analysismodule 224, a display module 228, an interface module 226, and aheuristic module 230, may be present in the vehicle messaging systemarchitecture 200. The plurality of similar modules may work in parallelor independently to improve the throughput and/or speed of the vehiclemessaging system architecture 200. In an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, a plurality of communication, sensor etc. . . .modules may be connected to a vehicle messaging system via wired andwireless connections to access resources from different wired andwireless networks. In still another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, a plurality of similar modules may form a secondaryvehicle messaging system capable of seamlessly substituting a messingand/or failing module.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that one or more modules may transmit module failure to a tech supportserver that is on an accessible network or over the internet. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, sensor information andvehicle driver may be sent to a server to alleviate processing load on avehicle messaging system.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that any module in vehicle messaging system architecture 200 may performdata manipulation. Data manipulation such as, but not limited to,compression, encryption, formatting. In an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, any module sending data may first compress the dataprior to data transmission.

Referring to FIG. 3 is illustrated an exemplary message panel having atleast one message in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In one aspect, a messaging system 300 may be configured tostore, display, and transmit at least one message 304 a, 304 bassociated with a vehicle 306 or a vehicle operator. The messagingsystem may utilize a message panel 302 that may join or be operablycoupled with the vehicle 306. The message panel may include theelectrical, visual, and digital components necessary for the efficientdisplay, reception, and transmission of an appropriate, and constantlychanging real time message from a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the message panel may include a digital screen, LCD,or similar digital screen technology. In one exemplary embodiment, themessage panel may utilize an LCD, an LED backlight, a full highdefinition i.e., a 1080p resolution. In one embodiment, the messagepanel may also utilize an anti-glare coating or anti-glare material toinhibit glare on the message panel. This feature may enhance thevisibility of the message.

In one exemplary embodiment, the message panel may be generallyrectangular and have dimensions of about 12 inches×6 inches. It may beappreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, in light of andin accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that othershapes and sizes may be used depending on where the message panel isbeing used. The message panel may be similar in size and shape to thelicense plates currently used on vehicles. In one embodiment, themessage plate may be installed where a vehicle license plate istypically located on a vehicle. In some embodiments, the message panelmay be located on other locations on a vehicle such as the car door,corner of the windshield or on the back of the side mirrors. In someembodiments, the message plate may be located on a motorized or anengine driven vehicle, or on other mobile or non-mobile source, and thelike.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the message plate may be made using any appropriate material, forexample, materials capable of withstanding an high impact from anothervehicle and/or object, capable of withstanding various environmentalconditions, a security grade material, etc. . . . . Accordingly,suitable materials for the message panel may include, withoutlimitation, a metal, for example, aluminum; polymer, for example,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate; a composite material, forexample, fire reinforced plastics (FRP), and the like.

In some embodiments, the message panel may be configured to includeamber alerts, silver alerts, mass consumer product advertising In oneembodiment, the message may be dynamic i.e., constantly evolving in realtime. In some embodiments, the message may include alerts,advertisements, and public service messages that may be effective whendisplayed on a vehicle. For example, messages that may be displayed bythe message panel may include, but not be limited to, a required stateDMV information, important public notifications, i.e., amber alerts,silver alerts, stolen car alerts, wanted persons alert, flash weatheralerts, and the like. It may also include some sensors in the vehiclethat may provide of an emergency health status of the driver, so otherdrivers may be made aware the there is an issue, and the alert may besent to 911.

As shown in FIG. 3, the message from the message panel may be digitallydisplayed on the message panel. However, in other embodiments, themessage may be encrypted and viewable only through a control portion112. The control portion may include a reading device that receives andinterprets the message from the message panel. Various informationreceivers may utilize the control portion for this purpose, including,without limitation, law enforcement officials, medical personnel,highway safety personnel, mechanics, insurance companies, the vehicleoperator, and an authorized person. In one embodiment, the controlportion 112 may include a computing system 212 employed by the variousinformation receivers. The control portion 112 may include a computer, amobile phone, a smart phone, a hand held, a laptop, a smart watch, andlike devices.

In some embodiments, the at least one message may include, withoutlimitation, a license plate number, a driver's license number, vehicleinsurance information, a vehicle inspection record, medical records ofthe vehicle operator, medical records of any other user travelling inthe vehicle and any like data associated with the vehicle or the vehicleoperator

In some embodiments, the at least one message may not be visuallydisplayed on the display interface 118 of the message panel 110. Inanother embodiment, any of the messages stored in the message panel 110may be accessible through transmission to and deciphering by the controlportion 112. In some embodiments, the vehicle messaging system 100 mayutilize a Wi-Fi system or similar technology for sending capturedinformation/data and receiving transmitted data from a control portion,and/or server, and/or database.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the message plate may be utilized in various environmentalconditions and may be typically exposed to the environmental elements,for example, heat, cold, rain, hail, and the like. For example, inembodiments where the message plate is used in extreme temperatureconditions, a thermostat portion may be used to monitor the temperatureproximal to, and inside the message panel. Accordingly, the thermostatportion may be operatively connected to a heating portion and a coolingportion. In embodiments, where the message plate is used in cold andfreezing conditions, the heating portion may be configured to maintain apre-determined temperature in proximity to the message plate to ensureappropriate working conditions for the message plate. In embodiments,where the message plate is used in heat conditions, a cooling portionmay be configured to maintain a pre-determined temperature in proximityto the message plate to ensure appropriate working conditions for themessage plate.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the message plate may include a maintenance alert system. Forexample, in an event where extreme temperatures or other hazards maydamage the message panel, the maintenance alert system may send an alertto the control portion to indicate need for maintenance or repairs, forexample, an expired bulb, a chip, impact damage repair, and the like.

During typical operation, when a message panel 110 encounters a problem,for example, a problem with overheating if the message panel 110 isjoined with a vehicle travelling in extreme heat conditions. Asdescribed herein, the message panel 110 may include a thermostat thatmay use a variety of sensors to measure the temperature, commonly athermistor or a bimetallic strip. The temperature measured by thethermostat may be higher than a predetermined temperature that may allowthe message panel 110 to work efficiently. In one embodiment, thethermostat in the message panel may have a maximum switching frequency,or switch heating and cooling portion on and off at temperatures eitherside of a predetermined temperature and may switch on the coolingportion automatically when the temperature exceeds a predeterminedtemperature. In another embodiment, the message panel 110 may send themessage obtained from the sensors on the thermostat to the controlportion 112/server 114. The control portion 112/server 114 may receivethe sensor message and execute computer code and/or algorithms from anon-transitory computer readable medium to recognize features from thesensor information and may send a message or instruction to thethermostat to switch on the cooling portion when the temperature exceedsa predetermined temperature. The environmental temperature measured bythe thermostat may be displayed on the display interface 118. In certainembodiments, server 114 may access database 116 and search for anyresolutions to one or more problems determined from the sensor message.Resolutions may be retrieved from database 116 and sent to the messagepanel directly or via the control portion 112. The message panel mayimplement the resolutions to correct the one or more problems determinedfor the message panel 110. A similar resolution may be obtained when amessage is an image captured by the message panel, sensor information onany medical issue with the driver, message for power source change formprimary to secondary (described herein below) and vice versa, and thelike.

Referring to FIG. 4 is illustrated a message panel unit 400, showing afront view 410 and a side view 412. The side view 412 allows viewing ofa control panel/circuitry housing 414 of a view screen 416. In the sideview 212 the view screen 416 is visible as a line. In one embodiment,the view screen 416 of the message panel may include a digital screen.In various embodiments, the digital screen may include, withoutlimitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode(LED), and like display screens. It may be appreciated by a person withordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that an LCD screen may enable themessage panel to have thin dimensions. In one embodiment, the digitalcharacteristics of the message panel may be operably coupled (incommunication) with the circuitry portion 414. In one embodiment, themessage panel 400 and the circuitry portion 414 may be operable coupledusing wired connections 412. In another embodiment, the message panel400 and the circuitry portion 414 may be operable coupled using awireless connection (not shown in figure) In one embodiment, thecircuitry portion 414 may include, without limitation, a circuit boardor a computing system. The circuitry portion 414 may be programmed tostore, manipulate, and display at least one message on the messagepanel.

In some embodiments, the message panel may utilize large amounts ofpower to operate, store the at least one message, transmit the message,display the message, and illuminate the message panel for enhancing thedisplay of the message. in one embodiment, a primary power source forpowering the message panel may include a battery from the vehicle. Inanother embodiment, a secondary power source, for example, a battery(changeable or rechargeable), a solar panel, and the like, may be usedto provide power to the message panel. It may be appreciated by a personwith ordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that the secondary power source maybe used, in conjunction with the primary power source or as a back-uppower source in place of the primary power source. The secondary powersource may thus provide uninterrupted operation of the message panel forextended periods.

In one embodiment, the message panel may be equipped with an electronicadapter allowing it to be connected to an adapter(s) of a vehicle to usethe primary source of power, i.e., the vehicle battery.

In some embodiments, the message panel may provide surveillancefeatures. An image capturing device, for example, a camera, may bedisposed and operable proximal to the message panel. The image capturingdevice may be configured to record the license plate of proximalvehicles, other objects in around the rear portion of the vehicle, roadconditions and the like. In one embodiment, in the event of an accident,the image capturing device enables the messaging system to capture andretrieve information about the vehicle causing the accident. In oneembodiment, the information may be transmitted to the control portionand saved in the control portion. In one embodiment, the information maybe transmitted to a sever in communication with the control portion andmay be saved in the server or in a database in communication with theserver. In some embodiments the messages may be transmitted b anauthorized source i.e., computer operator to download new emergencyalerts and/or consumer product advertisement.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate front views of an exemplary first enclosureportion for retaining a message panel, where FIG. 5A illustrates a firstfront panel, and FIG. 5B illustrates a first rear panel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In essence, the firstenclosure portion 500 may form a protective case around the messagepanel that enables viewing of the at least one message. The firstenclosure portion may be configured to protect the message panel fromwater and air, so that it is water resistant and substantially airtight.The first enclosure portion may be sized larger than the message panel.The first enclosure portion may also comprise at least one vent forenabling passage of air in and out of the message panel. In someembodiments, the message panel may be utilized in various temperatures.In one embodiment, a thermostat portion may be used to monitor thetemperature proximal to, and inside the message panel as describedhereinabove.

In some embodiments, the first enclosure portion 500 may include a firstfront panel 502 and a first rear panel 504 that are configured tosandwich the message panel. The first front panel and the first rearpanel may be fastened together through at least one first front aperture510 a, 510 b that may enable passage of a fastener for joining themtogether. The first front aperture may have a diameter of about onefourth of an inch. In one embodiment, the fastener may include asecurity screw having a dimension of about one fourth of an inch.

In some embodiments, the first front panel may include a perimeterportion 508 that surrounds the edges of the message panel. A centralopen section 506 may enable the message from the message panel to beviewed. In one embodiment, the first front panel has a width of abouttwelve inches and a height of about six inches, so as to snuglyencapsulate the message panel.

In some embodiments, the first rear panel may be configured to fixedlyjoin the enclosure portions and the message panel to the vehicle. Atleast one first rear aperture 512 a, 512 b enables passage of a fastenerto fasten the components to the vehicle. The first rear aperture mayhave a diameter of about one fourth of an inch. In one embodiment, thefastener may include a bolt having a dimension of about one fourth of aninch.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate front views of two different enclosuredesigns for retaining a message panel, where FIG. 6A illustrates asecond front panel, and FIG. 6B illustrates a second rear panel, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A opensfrom the bottom up, and FIG. 6B opens from the top down. Both enclosureportion designs have rears and tops connected by a hinge mechanism.Specifically, on FIG. 6A, illustrated portion 604 is the rear that willbe fastened to the vehicle and 602 is the top of the enclosure. A secondenclosure portion 600 may perform substantially the same function as thefirst enclosure panel. However, the second enclosure portion mayhingedly join along an edge portion 606 to enclose or release themessage panel. In one embodiment, the edge portion may include a hingethat enables pivoting articulation up to about 180 degrees.

The second enclosure portion may include a second front panel 602 and asecond rear panel 604 that are configured to sandwich the message panel.The first front panel and the first rear panel may be fastened togetherthrough at least one second front aperture 608 a, 608 b that enablespassage of a fastener for joining them together. The second enclosureportion is configured to securely encase the message panel, thecircuitry portion, the heating portion, and the cooling portion. In oneembodiment, the second front panel and the second rear panel have awidth of about twelve inches and a height of about six inches, so as tosnugly encapsulate the message panel.

In yet another embodiment, a third enclosure portion 610 may operate insubstantially the same manner, but may only encase the message panel.The other components may be positioned in the vehicle or integrated inthe message panel. The third enclosure portion may include a third frontpanel 612 and a third rear panel 614 that are configured to sandwich themessage panel. The third front panel and the third rear panel may befastened together through at least one third front aperture 616 a, 616 bthat enables passage of a fastener for joining them together. In oneembodiment, the third front panel and the third rear panel have a widthof about twelve inches and a height of about six inches, so as to snuglyencapsulate the message panel. In another embodiment, screws orapertures may be inserted in the third front aperture 616 a, 616 b(holes) to fasten the rear of the panel to the vehicle. Further, theremay be holes on the lower portion of the rear panel 614, that will bealigned with the top holes where screws may be inserted in to secure theenclosure to the vehicle.

FIGS. 7A through 7F illustrate examples of various uses of the exemplarymessage panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 7A illustrates how a message panel may capture images inits vicinity, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C illustrate an advertisement, FIG. 7Dillustrates an advertisement, FIG. 7E illustrates a silver alert Thedriver of a vehicle positioned behind the vehicle displaying the alertmay be able to view the information displayed on the digital licenseplate of the vehicle he/she is trailing and FIG. 7F illustrates thelicense number of the vehicle

In some embodiments, the enclosure portions may provide a tamperresistant component. For example, without limitation, a security screenmay selectively cover and uncover the message panel, depending onwhether the vehicle is powered on or off. The security screen mayautomatically close over the message panel when the vehicle is poweredoff. Conversely, when the vehicle is powered on, the security screen mayreopen. Once the vehicle is accelerated or the vehicle operatordecelerates, after one full revolution of an advertisement the regularrequired state information may reappear and remain until such time thevehicle operator applies the brake on the vehicle.

In certain embodiments, anti-theft technologies may be used by themessaging system. The anti-theft technology may include an alarm portionthat is operable by a computer chip. The alarm portion may be visible oraudible, and may render the message panel inoperable in the event it isremoved from the vehicle it is registered to. The alarm portion may alsotransmit an alarm to appropriate organizations, for example, police,resources/entities and jurisdictions, and state department of motorvehicles (DMV).

In certain embodiments, the message panel may be equipped withpositioning systems, for example, GPS technology and the like to trackthe vehicle's location in the event of theft, locate missing persons andvehicle operators, and the like.

In another exemplary use of the messaging system, the messaging systemmay boost the economy in a country where it is used because of itsability to perform mass advertisement of consumer products. It may beappreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, in light of andin accordance with the teachings of the present invention that typicallyinformation available in many existing state DMVs are not digitized andtherefore may provide limited information for near instant communicationto the public. The DMV and license plates currently issued by the DMVsare often unable to provide emergency alerts i.e., amber alert/silveralerts, stolen car alerts, and the like.

Further, in one embodiment, the required state DMV information may alsobe permanently marked/etched or painted on the external border of theenclosure so that in the event of power loss or malfunctions, lawenforcement may obtain needed information at least as shown in FIG. 7F.

In some embodiments, the message panel may help facilitate a computer orsimilar technology with Wi-Fi or similar technology or anothertechnology allowing the message panel to be programmable and to receivedata transmitted by another computer or similar technology and displaythe data. The message panel may also receive data through the internetutilizing Wi-Fi and/or satellite technology or any other usefultechnology enabling it to receive transmitted messages from othercomputers. The message panel may also be remotely programmable.

In one exemplary use, the message panel may operate a receiver orsimilar technology allowing it to also receive signals or other channelsor types of data from a positioning system, such as a satellite/GlobalPositioning System (GPS), Star technologies, or future invention forremote data input and programming.

In yet another embodiment, a server/computer/control portion may beutilized to transmit data and commands utilizing the internet and orsatellite technologies to the message panel. Subsequently, the messagepanel may provide slide show like presentations or similar presentationsof important public notifications and mass consumer advertisement. Inyet another embodiment, the message panel may release information thatmay be used to program a scheduled display of information and massadvertisement of consumer products.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced,reordered, removed and additional steps and/or system modules may beinserted depending upon the needs of the particular application, andthat the systems of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented usingany of a wide variety of suitable processes and system modules, and isnot limited to any particular computer hardware, software, middleware,firmware, microcode and the like. For any method steps described in thepresent application that can be carried out on a computing machine, atypical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed,serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention maybe embodied.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary client/server systemwhich may be used by an exemplary web-enabled/networked embodiment ofthe present invention.

A communication system 800 includes a multiplicity of clients with asampling of clients denoted as a client 802 and a client 804, amultiplicity of local networks with a sampling of networks denoted as alocal network 806 and a local network 808, a global network 810 and amultiplicity of servers with a sampling of servers denoted as a server812 and a server 814.

Client 802 may communicate bi-directionally with local network 806 via acommunication channel 816. Client 804 may communicate bi-directionallywith local network 808 via a communication channel 818. Local network806 may communicate bi-directionally with global network 810 via acommunication channel 820. Local network 808 may communicatebi-directionally with global network 810 via a communication channel822. Global network 810 may communicate bi-directionally with server 812and server 814 via a communication channel 824. Server 812 and server814 may communicate bi-directionally with each other via communicationchannel 824. Furthermore, clients 802, 804, local networks 806, 808,global network 810 and servers 812, 814 may each communicatebi-directionally with each other.

In one embodiment, global network 810 may operate as the Internet. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that communication system800 may take many different forms. Non-limiting examples of forms forcommunication system 800 include local area networks (LANs), wide areanetworks (WANs), wired telephone networks, wireless networks, or anyother network supporting data communication between respective entities.

Clients 802 and 804 may take many different forms. Non-limiting examplesof clients 802 and 804 include personal computers, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), cellular phones and smartphones.

Client 802 includes a CPU 826, a pointing device 828, a keyboard 830, amicrophone 832, a printer 834, a memory 836, a mass memory storage 838,a GUI 840, a video camera 842, an input/output interface 844, and anetwork interface 846.

CPU 826, pointing device 828, keyboard 830, microphone 832, printer 834,memory 836, mass memory storage 838, GUI 840, video camera 842,input/output interface 844 and network interface 846 may communicate ina unidirectional manner or a bi-directional manner with each other via acommunication channel 848.

Communication channel 848 may be configured as a single communicationchannel or a multiplicity of communication channels.

CPU 826 may be comprised of a single processor or multiple processors.CPU 826 may be of various types including micro-controllers (e.g., withembedded RAM/ROM) and microprocessors such as programmable devices(e.g., RISC or SISC based, or CPLDs and FPGAs) and devices not capableof being programmed such as gate array ASICs (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits) or general purpose microprocessors.

As is well known in the art, memory 836 is used typically to transferdata and instructions to CPU 826 in a bi-directional manner. Memory 836,as discussed previously, may include any suitable computer-readablemedia, intended for data storage, such as those described aboveexcluding any wired or wireless transmissions unless specifically noted.Mass memory storage 838 may also be coupled bi-directionally to CPU 826and provides additional data storage capacity and may include any of thecomputer-readable media described above. Mass memory storage 838 may beused to store programs, data and the like and is typically a secondarystorage medium such as a hard disk. It will be appreciated that theinformation retained within mass memory storage 838, may, in appropriatecases, be incorporated in standard fashion as part of memory 836 asvirtual memory.

CPU 826 may be coupled to GUI 840. GUI 840 enables a user to view theoperation of computer operating system and software. CPU 826 may becoupled to pointing device 828. Non-limiting examples of pointing device828 include computer mouse, trackball and touchpad. Pointing device 828enables a user with the capability to maneuver a computer cursor aboutthe viewing area of GUI 840 and select areas or features in the viewingarea of GUI 840. CPU 826 may be coupled to keyboard 830. Keyboard 830enables a user with the capability to input alphanumeric textualinformation to CPU 826. CPU 826 may be coupled to microphone 832.Microphone 832 enables audio produced by a user to be recorded,processed and communicated by CPU 826. CPU 826 may be connected toprinter 834. Printer 834 enables a user with the capability to printinformation to a sheet of paper. CPU 826 may be connected to videocamera 842. Video camera 842 enables video produced or captured by userto be recorded, processed and communicated by CPU 826.

CPU 826 may also be coupled to input/output interface 844 that connectsto one or more input/output devices such as such as CD-ROM, videomonitors, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitivedisplays, transducer card readers, magnetic or paper tape readers,tablets, styluses, voice or handwriting recognizers, or other well-knowninput devices such as, of course, other computers.

Finally, CPU 826 optionally may be coupled to network interface 846which enables communication with an external device such as a databaseor a computer or telecommunications or internet network using anexternal connection shown generally as communication channel 816, whichmay be implemented as a hardwired or wireless communications link usingsuitable conventional technologies. With such a connection, CPU 826might receive information from the network, or might output informationto a network in the course of performing the method steps described inthe teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram depicting a conventionalclient/server communication system.

A communication system 900 includes a multiplicity of networked regionswith a sampling of regions denoted as a network region 902 and a networkregion 904, a global network 906 and a multiplicity of servers with asampling of servers denoted as a server device 908 and a server device910.

Network region 902 and network region 904 may operate to represent anetwork contained within a geographical area or region. Non-limitingexamples of representations for the geographical areas for the networkedregions may include postal zip codes, telephone area codes, states,counties, cities and countries. Elements within network region 902 and904 may operate to communicate with external elements within othernetworked regions or within elements contained within the same networkregion.

In some implementations, global network 906 may operate as the Internet.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that communicationsystem 900 may take many different forms. Non-limiting examples of formsfor communication system 900 include local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs), wired telephone networks, cellular telephonenetworks or any other network supporting data communication betweenrespective entities via hardwired or wireless communication networks.Global network 906 may operate to transfer information between thevarious networked elements.

Server device 908 and server device 910 may operate to execute softwareinstructions, store information, support database operations andcommunicate with other networked elements. Non-limiting examples ofsoftware and scripting languages which may be executed on server device908 and server device 910 include C, C++, C# and Java.

Network region 902 may operate to communicate bi-directionally withglobal network 906 via a communication channel 912. Network region 904may operate to communicate bi-directionally with global network 906 viaa communication channel 914. Server device 908 may operate tocommunicate bi-directionally with global network 906 via a communicationchannel 916. Server device 910 may operate to communicatebi-directionally with global network 906 via a communication channel918. Network region 902 and 904, global network 906 and server devices908 and 910 may operate to communicate with each other and with everyother networked device located within communication system 900.

Server device 908 includes a networking device 920 and a server 922.Networking device 920 may operate to communicate bi-directionally withglobal network 906 via communication channel 916 and with server 922 viaa communication channel 924. Server 922 may operate to execute softwareinstructions and store information.

Network region 902 includes a multiplicity of clients with a samplingdenoted as a client 926 and a client 928. Client 926 includes anetworking device 934, a processor 936, a GUI 938 and an interfacedevice 940. Non-limiting examples of devices for GUI 938 includemonitors, televisions, cellular telephones, smartphones and PDAs(Personal Digital Assistants). Non-limiting examples of interface device940 include pointing device, mouse, trackball, scanner and printer.Networking device 934 may communicate bi-directionally with globalnetwork 906 via communication channel 912 and with processor 936 via acommunication channel 942. GUI 938 may receive information fromprocessor 936 via a communication channel 944 for presentation to a userfor viewing. Interface device 940 may operate to send controlinformation to processor 936 and to receive information from processor936 via a communication channel 946. Network region 904 includes amultiplicity of clients with a sampling denoted as a client 930 and aclient 932. Client 930 includes a networking device 948, a processor950, a GUI 952 and an interface device 954. Non-limiting examples ofdevices for GUI 938 include monitors, televisions, cellular telephones,smartphones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Non-limitingexamples of interface device 940 include pointing devices, mousse,trackballs, scanners and printers. Networking device 948 may communicatebi-directionally with global network 906 via communication channel 914and with processor 950 via a communication channel 956. GUI 952 mayreceive information from processor 950 via a communication channel 958for presentation to a user for viewing. Interface device 954 may operateto send control information to processor 950 and to receive informationfrom processor 950 via a communication channel 960.

For example, consider the case where a user interfacing with client 926may want to execute a networked application. A user may enter the IP(Internet Protocol) address for the networked application usinginterface device 940. The IP address information may be communicated toprocessor 936 via communication channel 946. Processor 936 may thencommunicate the IP address information to networking device 934 viacommunication channel 942. Networking device 934 may then communicatethe IP address information to global network 906 via communicationchannel 912. Global network 906 may then communicate the IP addressinformation to networking device 920 of server device 908 viacommunication channel 916. Networking device 920 may then communicatethe IP address information to server 922 via communication channel 924.Server 922 may receive the IP address information and after processingthe IP address information may communicate return information tonetworking device 920 via communication channel 924. Networking device920 may communicate the return information to global network 906 viacommunication channel 916. Global network 906 may communicate the returninformation to networking device 934 via communication channel 912.Networking device 934 may communicate the return information toprocessor 936 via communication channel 942. Processor 946 maycommunicate the return information to GUI 938 via communication channel944. User may then view the return information on GUI 938.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least aportion of the novel method steps and/or system components of thepresent invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s)possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA),whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subsetof the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoingembodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for thebenefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the presentinvention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means forand/or steps described that the applications designer will selectivelydecide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particularimplementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction ofthe USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/orsystem components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g.,without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/orlocated outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remainingmethod steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, alocally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typicallyrequired to be located/performed in the USA for practicalconsiderations. In client-server architectures, a remotely locatedserver typically generates and transmits required information to a USbased client, for use according to the teachings of the presentinvention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theteachings of the present invention, which aspects of the presentinvention can or should be located locally and which can or should belocated remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the followingclaim limitations that are construed under 35 USC § 112 (6) it isintended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying outthe claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented withinthe jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed orlocated remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under35 USC § 112 (6). In some embodiments, the methods and/or systemcomponents which may be located and/or performed remotely include,without limitation all facets of the digital license plate may be eitherperformed in the USA or in any other country whereby vehicles are in useor could one day exist. This may include but not limited to downloadingof data, and network programming.

It is noted that according to USA law, all claims must be set forth as acoherent, cooperating set of limitations that work in functionalcombination to achieve a useful result as a whole. Accordingly, for anyclaim having functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6)where the embodiment in question is implemented as a client-serversystem with a remote server located outside of the USA, each suchrecited function is intended to mean the function of combining, in alogical manner, the information of that claim limitation with at leastone other limitation of the claim. For example, in client-server systemswhere certain information claimed under 35 USC § 112 (6) is/(are)dependent on one or more remote servers located outside the USA, it isintended that each such recited function under 35 USC § 112 (6) is to beinterpreted as the function of the local system receiving the remotelygenerated information required by a locally implemented claimlimitation, wherein the structures and or steps which enable, and breathlife into the expression of such functions claimed under 35 USC § 112(6) are the corresponding steps and/or means located within thejurisdiction of the USA that receive and deliver that information to theclient (e.g., without limitation, client-side processing andtransmission networks in the USA). When this application is prosecutedor patented under a jurisdiction other than the USA, then “USA” in theforegoing should be replaced with the pertinent country or countries orlegal organization(s) having enforceable patent infringementjurisdiction over the present application, and “35 USC § 112 (6)” shouldbe replaced with the closest corresponding statute in the patent laws ofsuch pertinent country or countries or legal organization(s).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6), which is/are not explicitlydisclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in thepatent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTOsearching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material herein by reference for thepurpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functionalmeans claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during anyclaims construction proceedings and/or examination of patentallowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of eachof these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation searchof 35 USC § 112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of thepatent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normalUSPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution.Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citationinformation to identify all such documents comprising functionallycorresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in anyPTO Form-8112 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS)entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s)or any 3rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amendthe present application to explicitly include citations to suchdocuments and/or explicitly include the functionally correspondingstructures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6), which is/are not explicitlydisclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) haveexplicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a vehiclemessaging system according to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have beendescribed above by way of illustration, and the specific embodimentsdisclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed. The particular implementation of the vehicle messagingsystem may vary depending upon the particular context or application. Byway of example, and not limitation, the vehicle messaging systemdescribed in the foregoing were principally directed to vehiclemessaging system implementations; however, similar techniques mayinstead be applied to digital displays, which implementations of thepresent invention are contemplated as within the scope of the presentinvention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims. It is to be further understood that not all of thedisclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarilysatisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvementsdescribed in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

1. A system comprising: a message panel, wherein the message panel isconfigured to enable joining with a vehicle; the message panel includinga heating portion, wherein the heating portion is configured to helpmaintain said message panel at a predetermined temperature, the messagepanel including a cooling portion, wherein the cooling portion isconfigured to help said message panel maintain a predeterminedtemperature; a control portion, in operable communication with themessage panel, wherein the control portion comprises: a processor,wherein the processor is configured to receive, process, and transmit atleast one message transmitted by the message panel, wherein the at leastone message is configured to provide information associated with avehicle or vehicle operator; and a server, operably coupled with thecontrol portion, wherein the server comprises: a processor, wherein theprocessor is configured to receive, process, and transmit at least onemessage transmitted by the message panel either directly or via thecontrol portion, wherein the at least one message is configured toprovide information associated with a vehicle or vehicle operator. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the message panel is configured todisplay at least one message, the message panel comprising a processor,said processor being configured to process, receive, and transmit the atleast one message, the at least one message being configured to provideinformation associated with a vehicle, the message panel further beingconfigured to enable joining with said vehicle.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the message panel comprises a secondary power source, whereinsecondary power source is configured to power the message panel.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the message panel comprises a first enclosureportion, wherein the first enclosure portion is configured to at leastpartially encapsulate the message panel for selectively inhibitingengagement of air or water with the message panel.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the message panel comprises at least one vent, whereinthe at least one vent is configured to enable passage of air in and outof said first enclosure portion.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein themessage panel comprises an image capturing device, wherein the imagecapturing device is configured to enable capturing an image proximal tosaid message panel.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the message panelcomprises an anti-glare coating, wherein the anti-glare coating isconfigured to inhibit glare from said message panel.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the message panel comprises a security screen, whereinthe security screen is configured to selectively cover and uncover themessage panel, depending on whether said vehicle is powered on or off.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the message panel comprises apositioning system, wherein the positioning system is configured totrack a position of said message panel.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the message panel comprises an alarm portion, wherein the alarmportion is configured to initiate an alarm to indicate unauthorizedmanipulation of the message panel.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinthe message panel comprises a Wi-Fi internet connection forcommunicating with the control portion and/or the server.
 12. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executableprogram stored thereon, wherein the program instructs one or moreprocessors to perform the following steps: providing a vehicle messagingsystem, wherein the system comprises: a message panel, wherein themessage panel is configured to enable joining with a vehicle; themessage panel including a heating portion, wherein the heating portionis configured to help maintain said message panel at a predeterminedtemperature, the message panel including a cooling portion, wherein thecooling portion is configured to help said message panel maintain apredetermined temperature; a control portion, in operable communicationwith the message panel, wherein the control portion comprises: aprocessor, wherein the processor is configured to receive, process, andtransmit at least one message transmitted by the message panel, whereinthe at least one message is configured to provide information associatedwith a vehicle or vehicle operator; and a server, operably coupled withthe control portion, wherein the server comprises: a processor, whereinthe processor is configured to receive, process, and transmit at leastone message transmitted by the message panel either directly or via thecontrol portion, wherein the at least one message is configured toprovide information associated with a vehicle or vehicle operator; anddisplaying the at least one message on a display portion of the messagepanel.
 13. The program of claim 12, wherein the message panel comprisesa secondary power source, wherein secondary power source is configuredto power the message panel.
 14. A message panel comprising: a digitaldisplay panel for displaying at least one message; a thermostat, aheating portion, and a cooling portion, wherein the thermostat triggersthe heating portion or the cooling portion to maintain the message panelat a pre-determined temperature; and a primary power source and asecondary power source, wherein the secondary power source providespower either in conjunction or in lieu of the primary power source; 15.The message panel of claim 14, wherein the message panel comprises atleast one vent, wherein the at least one vent is configured to enablepassage of air in and out of said first enclosure portion.
 16. Themessage panel of claim 14, wherein the message panel comprises an imagecapturing device, wherein the image capturing device is configured toenable capturing an image proximal to said message panel.
 17. Themessage panel of claim 14, wherein the message panel comprises ananti-glare coating, wherein the anti-glare coating is configured toinhibit glare from said message panel.
 18. The message panel of claim14, wherein the message panel comprises a security screen, wherein thesecurity screen is configured to selectively cover and uncover themessage panel, depending on whether said vehicle is powered on or off.19. The message panel of claim 14, wherein the message panel comprises apositioning system, wherein the positioning system is configured totrack a position of said message panel.
 20. The message panel of claim14, wherein the message panel comprises an alarm portion, wherein thealarm portion is configured to initiate an alarm to indicateunauthorized manipulation of the message panel.